How to Get More Likes on Instagram: 11 Practical Tips

Likes are the most visible form of approval on Instagram. They signal to viewers that a post is worth their time, and they're one of the signals Instagram uses to decide how widely to share your content.

If your posts are stuck with only a handful of likes, these 11 tips can help.

Why likes still matter

Instagram lets users hide like counts, but likes still matter in three ways:

• Ranking signals. Instagram has said that likes per reach, along with watch time and shares, are among the most important signals for ranking content.
• Social proof. When counts are visible, people are more likely to engage with posts that already have engagement. See What Is Social Proof?.
• Feedback. Likes show you which content resonates so you can make more of it.

1. Lead with a scroll-stopping first frame

Whether it's a photo, carousel, or Reel, the first thing people see decides whether they stop. Use bright, clear visuals, faces where relevant, and strong contrast. Avoid busy or dark images that become unreadable on a phone screen.

2. Use carousels

Carousels give people more reasons to engage. Instagram may also show the second slide to people who scrolled past the first, giving your post another chance. Great carousel formats:

• Step-by-step tutorials
• "5 mistakes to avoid" lists
• Before-and-after sequences
• Mini case studies

3. Post Reels regularly

Reels reach people who don't follow you yet, and more reach means more chances for likes. Keep them short, hook viewers instantly, and add captions for people watching without sound. See our guide to getting more Reels views.

4. Write captions that add value

A good caption extends the post: a story, a tip, context, or a question. The first line matters most because it's what shows before "more". Make it a hook.

5. Ask a simple question

"Which one would you pick, 1 or 2?" is easier to answer than "Thoughts?" Easy questions bring comments, and posts with conversation often get more likes too.

6. Post when your audience is online

Open Instagram Insights, look at Most active times, and post shortly before your audience peaks. For more, read Best Time to Post on Social Media.

7. Use a few relevant hashtags and keywords

Hashtags help Instagram understand your topic, and keywords in captions help your post appear in search. Choose specific tags over huge generic ones like #love.

8. Engage with your community

Spend 15 minutes before and after posting replying to comments, answering DMs, and engaging with accounts in your niche. Active accounts tend to get more active audiences.

9. Share posts to your Stories

Many followers miss feed posts. Sharing new posts to Stories with a sticker like "New post" sends extra traffic their way.

10. Collaborate

Use Instagram's Collab feature to co-publish posts with another account. The post appears on both profiles and collects likes from both audiences.

11. Give important posts a starting boost

Posts with zero likes in the first hour can look ignored, which makes real visitors less likely to engage. Some creators and businesses use Instagram likes on important posts, such as a product launch, an announcement, or a collaboration, so the post makes a stronger first impression.

To do this sensibly:

• Use it on posts that are already good, not weak ones.
• Keep numbers believable compared to your follower count.
• Never share your password; only the public post link is needed.
• Understand that Instagram discourages inauthentic engagement and may remove likes it considers fake.

Our article on Budget vs Premium Social Media Services can help you choose the right option for each post.

What hurts your likes

• Posting inconsistently. Long gaps mean fewer people see your next post.
• Low-quality visuals. Blurry or poorly lit content gets scrolled past.
• Engagement pods. Groups that like each other's posts often bring irrelevant engagement and teach Instagram the wrong audience for your content.
• Too much selling. Mix promotional posts with helpful, entertaining, or personal content.

Frequently asked questions

What is a good number of likes on Instagram?

It depends on your follower count and reach. Compare likes to your reach or followers rather than to other accounts. Our guide to engagement rates explains how.

Why are my Instagram likes going down?

Common causes include posting less often, changes in content style, posting at the wrong time, or your audience shifting to Reels. Check Insights to see which posts still perform well.

Do likes from non-followers count?

Yes. Every like counts, and likes from non-followers are a good sign that Instagram is showing your content to new people.

Keep improving

More likes come from better content shown to more people at the right time. Test these tips one by one, watch your Insights, and support your best posts with our Instagram services when it counts.